Andy Kistler, MD, PharmD

Biliary reflux is difficult, yet important, to distinguish from acid reflux, in order to ensure proper treatment for these patients.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate prophylactic clipping in preventing post-polypectomy bleeding and published the results in Gastroenterology.

There is significant interest in optimizing medical treatments of Crohn’s disease (CD) in hopes of preventing complications and the need for surgery.

There are increasing data to support that many patients with COVID-19 can develop a myriad of gastrointestinal symptoms, which include mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

It is thought that dysregulation of the gut microbiome could cause increased production of pro-inflammatory toxins that can predispose patients to the development of UC.

An area that has been specifically challenging within gastroenterology is the management of how and when to perform GI procedures, especially when many patients with COVID-19 have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Surveillance recommendations are based on the initial grade of dysplasia.

Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of etrasimod, an oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator in development for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.

The absolute 1-year risk of colorectal cancer in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with oral anticoagulants is not trivial.

Although patients with COVID-19 are known to present with constitutional and respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath, there is growing evidence that these patients can also experience significant gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The American Gastroenterological Association recently published new clinical practice guidelines on the management of gastric intestinal metaplasia.

A commonly used over-the-counter treatment for IBS is peppermint oil. The exact mechanism of action in IBS is not entirely known; however, it has been postulated that it may be mediated through smooth muscle relaxation, antimicrobial effects, modulation of pain receptors, and 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonism.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma represents the predominant histologic type of esophageal cancer worldwide.

Up to 40% of Clostridioides difficile infections are community-associated in patients without any significant risk factors such as recent antibiotics, hospitalization, advanced age, inflammatory bowel disease, or history of malignancy.

As a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett esophagus is a crucial diagnosis for gastroenterologists to make during upper endoscopy.

Conducting and evaluating research studies on bowel preparation for colonoscopies is challenging, and is an area of significant interest both now and in the future.

Elderly patients have a higher tolerance for GERD symptoms compared with younger patients; therefore, these symptoms may be under-reported.

IBD clinical trials have become increasingly complex as more specific clinical endpoints have gathered support within the academic arena. There has also been an emphasis on long-term extension safety and efficacy data which can further complicate recruitment.

PDE5 inhibitor use was associated with a 35% decreased risk for CRC in male patients with a history of a benign colorectal neoplasm, and the decrease was associated with increasing cumulative dose of PDE5 inhibitors.